A director of a security company has been fined for failing to provide information about his company to the Security Industry Authority. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 8 February 2010 Prinz Patrick Ukonga, 44, pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the SIA when requested – an offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Ukonga, of Tranet, East Lothian, was director of Znrip Top Security Limited based in Edinburgh, which supplied door staff to pubs and clubs in the area. It is no longer operating.
The SIA received intelligence that Ukonga was supplying unlicensed door staff to venues. During the course of the investigation, SIA investigators requested information about his employees and contracts with venues. Ukonga did not cooperate with the investigation and failed to provide this information. He was fined £500.
In sentencing Ukonga, Sheriff Graeme Warner said that the amount of Ukonga’s fine reflected his personal circumstances, although he should not underestimate the seriousness of the matter. He added: “Licensing was set up to sort out the chaos in the industry, and the fact that you failed to provide information highlights why this legislation was put in place.” This conviction would deter Ukonga from becoming a “phoenix from the flames,” in setting up another security company, Sheriff Warner added.
Sara Brenan, an SIA head of Investigation, said: “We take all breaches of our offences seriously. By failing to provide us with information, Ukonga put himself at risk of prosecution and could now have his SIA licence revoked, which means he will be unable work in the security industry.”